The unsettling discovery of two bodies within the landing gear of a JetBlue plane at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida has reignited discussions about the severe risks associated with stowaway attempts in such extreme conditions. The bodies were found during a routine post-landing inspection of flight 1801, which had departed from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.
Aviation specialists highlight that the survival rate for stowaways in landing gear is alarmingly low, estimated at about 20%. Willard Shepard, an aviation attorney and former combat pilot, explained to Local 10 the numerous hazards faced by stowaways once the aircraft is airborne:
Crushing: There's a significant risk of being crushed by the landing gear mechanisms as they retract.
Falling: The possibility of falling arises when the landing gear doors open.
Environmental Conditions: The extreme cold and lack of oxygen at high altitudes can lead to unconsciousness or death.
"This kind of incident should never occur. The foremost concern is always airport security, and clearly, there was a breach here. This raises numerous questions about how such a lapse happened," the expert emphasized.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities are diligently working to identify the victims and ascertain how they managed to board the aircraft undetected, raising serious concerns about the security protocols at the involved airports. According to AP, the aircraft had previously been in Kingston, Jamaica, and Salt Lake City, Utah, on Monday morning, as per FlightAware.com's tracking service, before its journey from New York to Fort Lauderdale.
While officials have yet to confirm the location where the individuals accessed the wheel well, speculation has centered around the plane's stop in Jamaica. "Our information to date indicates that this issue remains unclear, and there is no immediate basis to conclude they were Jamaican nationals," stated Kamina Johnson Smith, Jamaica's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, in a post on the social platform X.
"We are, therefore, maintaining communication with the relevant authorities and will inform the public as soon as we have more clarity and accuracy regarding this tragic matter," she added.
JetBlue described the situation as "heartbreaking" and assured that they are fully cooperating with the ongoing investigations.
Key Questions About Airport Security and Stowaway Risks
What are the primary dangers faced by stowaways in aircraft landing gear?
Stowaways risk being crushed by the landing gear mechanisms, falling when the gear doors open, and suffering from extreme cold and lack of oxygen at high altitudes.
How are authorities responding to the discovery of the bodies?
Authorities are conducting an investigation to identify the victims and determine how they accessed the plane undetected, focusing on security protocols at the involved airports.
What is JetBlue's stance on the incident?
JetBlue has called the incident "heartbreaking" and is fully cooperating with the ongoing investigations.